Another Chesco town joins opposition to Sunoco's PUC request

WEST BRADFORD – Township supervisors agreed on Tuesday to write a letter to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in opposition of Sunoco Logistics seeking public utility status for its Mariner East project.

Sunoco is in the process of seeking the designation for its pumping stations and valve controls in 31 municipalities across Pennsylvania for its Mariner East Pipeline.

The issue first came to light in Chester County in West Goshen, where Sunoco is proposing a pumping station for the line. After appearing before township officials there several times, Sunoco decided to seek public utility status in a move that would allow it to bypass obtaining local approval from the municipalities the line runs through.

West Bradford Township Manager Tommy Ryan said the letter will be similar to what other local township officials submitted last month by asking the PUC to not exempt Sunoco from following the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code and local zoning ordinances.

West Bradford joins West Whiteland and West Pikeland as well as West Goshen in opposition to Sunoco’s public utility request. In addition, the Chester County Commissioners wrote a letter on June 6 to the PUC asking them to ensure that Sunoco complies with local zoning ordinances.

Ryan said that such letters are “asking the PUC to consider the application’s effect on local zoning ordinances.”

The letter will also be in support of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, or PSATS, which sent its own letter “opposing any efforts that might give Sunoco ... the ability to circumvent local control.”

PSATS submitted the letter to the PUC on April 21, asking the commission to reject Sunoco’s request for public utility status.

The letter from PSATS notes that while the group “is not opposed to (Sunoco’s) Mariner East Pipeline project,” it is “opposed to (the company’s) effort to classify its new pipeline venture as a public utility corporation and thereby circumvent normal municipal review of its plans.”

Sunoco has argued it is already a public utility corporation and should be granted the same rights for its above-ground facilities. Opponents say that the company should abide by local government ordinances for its facilities.

The supervisors unanimously agreed to submit a letter “opposing the exemption of local codes, relative to construction” of the pipeline project.

The project has received letters of support from local groups, including Keen Compressed Gas, Steamfitters Local 420, CEO Council for Growth and Marcus Hook borough. Those supporting it cite its job creation and a need to transport natural gas liquids from the western part of the state to the east.

In addition to the public utility status, the Mariner East project would re-purpose an 83-year-old pipeline previously used to transport petroleum products to deliver Marcellus Shale natural gas liquids, mainly ethane and propane, to the Marcus Hook refinery in Delaware County for export and some local use.